Oven heat control unit



April 30, W40. T. A; WETZEL OVEN HEAT CONTROL UNIT Filed April 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ozrm ' C/mmZeW Combasow aha/2296f L E Z E w A T OVEN HEAT CONTROL UNIT Filed April 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Shae: 2

. faveni o Theodore, 0%. (M96296 ill) Patented Apr. 30, 1940 llllFlE OVEN HEAT CONTROL UNIT Application April 12, 1937, Serial No. 136,291

11 Claims.

This invention relates to oven heat control units and more particularly is directed to units employed for controlling the temperatures in ovens and the like and for automatically shutting off the gas supply to the oven burner and the pilot burner in case of accidental extinguishment of the pilot flame. While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with a domestic gas range, it is to be understood that it may be applied for control of burners in other appliances and in other types of heating apparatus.

The present invention broadly contemplates a control unit located adjacent the oven and having electromagnetic valve means controlled by a thermocouple at the pilot burner and responsive to the heat thereof, in combination with a selecting and compensating valve arrangement for establishing and maintaining a predetermined temperature within the space being heated.

It is one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a heat regulating unit having means whereby a safety control unit may optionally be incorporated therein, for selecting and maintaining the predetermined temperature in an oven or other enclosure being heated, and for preventing escape of gas if the pilot burner should be accidentally extinguished.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an oven heat regulating unit having means associated with the control spindle thereof for resetting the safety control device when it is desired to reignite the pilot burner, so that the operator is freed from the necessity of manually holding the safety valve opened during reignition.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a compact safety control unit located at the oven heat regulator and responsive to the heat of the pilot flame for shutting off the flow of gas to the main burner and the pilot burner in the event of extinguishment of the pilot flame.

As a further feature of the present invention, I contemplate an arrangement wherein a common fuel supply is led into the control unit, and a single valve controls this fuel supply in the unit, insofar as the shutting oif of the main and pilot burners is concerned, with an ancillary control valve for selecting and maintaining the oven temperatures in the connection to the main burner.

Another advantage secured by the present construction resides in the provision of a thermocouple unitvso constructed that the connection from the safety control to the thermocouple junction at the pilot tip also constitutes the fuel supply conduit for the pilot tip.

The present invention also contemplates a construction which may be located at any desired point, either upon an oven wall, near the front control manifold of a gas range, or at any other desired location, and which is compact and may be assembled at the place where the same is installed, the only requirements for installation being the connection of the fuel supply conduit to the control unit, the connection of the control unit to the main burner and the placing of the thermostatic bulb and the pilot tip in their re spective locations.

The unit as provided by the present invention is of simple design, relatively compact in size, and is so constructed that the safety shutoff unit may be provided, or may be eliminated, without requiring any modification in the design of the control equipment for maintaining the desired temperature in the oven.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention Will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of a preferred form of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figured is a view diagrammatically showing the installation of the control unit and its connections in a domestic range or similar oven construction;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1, illustrating in detail the construction of the safety shutoff unit; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 2, illustrating the details ofthe oven temperature selecting and control means.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I have indicated generally a domestic gas range 5, having a hingedcover 6 which closes off the open top or range burners when they are not in use, and having the laterally disposed oven chamber 1, confined within the oven walls 8 between which is formed a space adapted to receive insulating material 9.

Below the oven chamber 1 I preferably provide a combustion chamber In, having a main gas burner 12 therein, which gas burner is provided with the mixing chamber l3 having a gas spud l4 located centrally therein and adapted to receive gas from the conduit member IS.

The burner I2 is supported in any suitable manner within the combustion chamber l0, and preferably the mixing chamber I3 is provided with an annular flange portion l5 definitely positioning the burner within the combustion chamber and abutting against the inner oven wall portion 8. The mixing chamber I3 is preferably provided with the usual regulating shutter for controlling the amount of air admitted thereto for mixture with the gas issuing from the spud l4.

Disposed adjacent the main burner I2 is a pilot tip member 11, having an open end l9 and a port l9 adjacent the open end through which pilot flames 20 are adapted to project for igniting the gas issuing from the ports of the main burner. Orifices, indicated at 22, pass the gas to the port l9 and to the open end l8 of the pilot tip member l1.

7 Disposed within the oven chamber 1 and preferably located adjacent the upper portion of this chamber is a bulb member 23, containing a fluid which has a relatively high temperature coeiiicient of expansion, and which is connected through the capillary tubing 24 to the control unit indicated generally at 25. The member 23 constitutes an oven thermal bulb, the pressure of the fluid within the bulb 23 being transmitted through the tube 24 to control the flow of gas to the main burner l2 in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter.

The control unit 25 is provided with a connection 26 adapted to receive the main fuel supply conduit 21, which supplies fuel to the control unit 25 from a suitable gas supply manifold or the like. An outlet port 28 is provided on the unit 25, which is connected through the conduit 29, a valve 30 and the conduit l5 to the main burner supply spud 44 for conducting the fuel to the main burner H for ignition by the pilot burner. The valve 30 is preferably provided with an operating handle 32 for manually controlling the gas supply between the conduits 29 and i5. The unit 25 is also provided with the selecting dial indicated generally at 33, which is rotatable for selecting the desired temperature to be maintained within the chamber 1, this temperature being controlled after initial selection by the member 33 through the thermal bulb member 23 in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter.

Disposed within the pilot tip I! is a hot thermo-couple junction indicated at 35, this junction being formed between the sleeve member forming the pilot tip l1 and an inner conductor member 36 which is welded thereto as indicated. The inner thermocouple member 35 is connected through the cold junction 35a with the thermocouple lead 36a which extends through the insulation 3'7 within the metallic tubing 38 to the control member 25. The junction 35 is subjected to the heat of the pilot flame, and the lead 36, together with the tube 38, forms the two conductors for leading the current generated at the tip 35 back to suitable control means positioned within the control unit 25.

Considering now in detail the structure shown in Figures 2 and 3, the unit 25 comprises a main housing member 40 which is provided with a closure cap 42 at one end thereof, this cap forming a suitable support for a bushing 43 which extends thereinto and which supports the capillary tube 24, the bushing 43 being provided with the shoulder 44 which abuts against the inner face of the cap 42, and with a suitable nut 45 for clamping the bushing in position on the cap.

The capillary tube 24 is connected, within the housing 40, to a diaphragm power element indicated generally at 45, which is secured as indicated at 41 to the inner end of the bushing 43, whereby pressure changes within the member 23 are transmitted through the tube 24 to the interior of the element 46, thereby expanding and contracting the same.

4 The housing 49 is provided intermediate its ends with an inwardly extending flange portion 48 which is adapted to form a guide for the reciprocatory valve member 49 adapted to have longitudinal sliding movement within the flange 48. At its end, the member 49 is provided with the radial flange portion 50 forming a seat for a metal cage member 52 having openings 53 therein allowing for passage of gas therethrough. The member 52 is provided with an end boss 54 adapted to have bearing engagement against the inner end of the diaphragm, and to be reciprocated thereby axially of the housing 40 upon expansion and contraction of the diaphragm 46.

The flange 48 also forms one seat for a coiled spring member 55 encircling the member 49, the opposite end of the spring bearing against an annular ring 56 which encircles the member 49 between which and the flange 50 there is disposed suitable packing 5'l' for sealing the outer surface of the member 49 against leakage of gas therepast. This spring 55 normally urges the valve member 49 and the cage member 52 into abutting engagement against the diaphragm power element 46.

At its opposite end, the member 49 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 51, defining a valve opening into the interior of the member 49, which is adapted to have relative movement with respect to a valve disc member 58, preferably formed as a bimetallic disc for temperature compensation, although this is optional. The disc 58 is seated against the radial flange 59 carried by the sleeve member 60, which sleeve member terminates in a .threaded end receiving the threaded sleeve or cup-shaped end cap 62, this end cap containing the coil spring member 63 biased at one end against the inner face of the cap 62 and at the opposite end being biased against a disc member 64 carried therein and stopped against the threaded shoulder formed at the connection between the sleeves and 62. A suitable coil spring 65 is biased against the disc 59 at one end for holding the disc firmly against the flange 59, and at its opposite end is biased against the end portion-of the cage member 52, as clearly shown in Figure 3. Thus the spring 65 forms a resilient connection between the disc and the cage member 52. The housing 40 is provided with a suitable by-pass portion 61, which by-passes the valve cage member 52 and valve member 49, and which is controlled by means of a suitable metering screw shown more or less diagrammatically in Figure 3 at 68. This by-pass is for the purpose of insuring a minimum fiow to the main burner l2 through the port 28 and the conduits 29 and I5 even when the valve member 49 is seated against the disc 58, in order to insure ignition of the main burner with a minimum setting of the control unit.

At its opposite end, the housing 49 is provided with a reduced cylindrical extension 10, which extension is provided with a counterbore 12 which is internally threaded to receive the threaded bushing 73 carried by the selecting spindle 14. The spindle 14 is provided with a slabbed off portion 15 whereby the dial member 33 may be secured thereto for conjoint rotation therewith, so that upon rotation of the dial member 33 the spindle I4 is threaded axially of the extension I0, producing axial movement of the hollow extending portion I6 of the spindle. The sleeve member and the extending portion I6 of the spindle are adapted to provide suitable supports for a motion transmitting rod 11, which rod at its outer end is adapted to be engaged by a dial calibrating screw I8 carried within the spindle I and adjustable to calibrate the control unit for the particular conditions encountered in the installation. At its opposite end, the rod 11 engages the disc 64 pressed thereagainst by the spring 63. Upon rotation of the dial 33, therefore, the spindle I6 is threaded axially inwardly, producing axial inward movement of the rod 11, and this rod, through the spring 63, carries the sleeve member 60 and the valve disc 58 to the left, as viewed in Figure 3, tending to close the opening through the member 49. The spring 63 acts to accommodate over travel, and prevents stressing of the diaphragm when the rod 11 moves toward the diaphragm under the influence of rotation of the dial 33. Rotation of the dial 33 in the opposite direction moves the spindle I4 outwardly, and the spring 63 thereupon forces the rod 11 to follow the outward movement of the spindle to a point at which the disc 66 engages the threaded end of the sleeve 60. The follower spring 65 is counteracted by a suitable retaining spring I9 encircling the rod 11 between the sleeve 60 and the portion T6 of the spindle, and the disc 58 is therefore adapted to move substantially conjointly with the sleeve 60 and rod 77, independent of any movement of diaphragm 46. The spring 79 is not strong enough to force washer 64 away from rod TI against the pressure of spring 65, but merely holds the cocking finger 80 in place on hollow spindle I6. Preferably the rod 11 is made of Invar, while the housing 25 is made of brass, in order to provide for temperature compensation of the element to prevent an error in calibration thereof due to the temperature to which the unit is subjected.

It will also be noted that when the temperature within the chamber I, as sensed by the bulb 23, increases, therewill be an increase of pressure in the diaphragm of power element 46, reacting against the cage member 53 to move the valve assembly toward the disc 58, thereby reducing the flow of fuel through the port 28. Upon a decrease of temperature in the oven chamber, the pressure in the power element decreases, and the spring 55 thereupon causes the cage element 52 to follow the diaphragm to its collapsed position, the spring 55 at the same time moving the valve element 49 conjointly with the cage member 52 to open the valve opening between the disc 58 and the flange 51, thereby increasing the flow of fuel to the main burner. Thus, the dial 33 when rotated to the selected position, produces a predetermined setting of the disc 58 with respect to the valve member 49, to allow approximately the proper quantity of fuel therepast into the main burner. Variations of temperature within the main burner from the selected temperature will cause variations in the pressure within the power element diaphragm 96, and consequently will vary the setting of the valve member 49 with respect to the disc 58 to vary the flow of fuel in accordance with the variations in temperature, increasing the flow of fuel upon decreasing in temperature and decreasing the flow of fuel upon increases in temperature.

Mounted upon the extended portion I6 of the spindle I4 is a cocking finger indicated generally at 80, this finger being held in position on the extension I6 of the spindle by the retainer spring I9 bearing against the disc 82 at the end of the projecting portion of the spindle. The cooking finger 80, as indicated clearly in Figure 2, is adapted for conjoint rotation with the spindle I6, and has a projecting cam portion 83 adapted to engage one end 84 of a bell crank member 85 pivoted upon the pin 86 carried by the shoulder portion 81 formed integral with the housing 40. The bell crank member 85 has an extending arm portion 88, clearly shown in Figure 2, which is adapted to engage a reciprocatory valve stem member 90 carrying the valve member 92 at the lower end thereof by means of the ball and socket connection indicated at 93. The valve member 92 is adapted to seat against the valve seat insert 94 carried at the upper end of the ofiset portion 26 of the housing 40, and the stem 90 is provided with a suitable radial flange 95 engaged by the radial portion of a cup-shaped follower member 96 whereby the valve stem and valve member are normally urged toward the valve seat by the spring 91.

The housing 30 is provided, on its upper surface in alignment with the opening to the inlet port 26, with an extension 98 interiorly threaded to receive the housing 99 of the safety shutoff unit for controlling the valve member 92. The housing 99 is threaded into the extnsion 98, and a suitable washer I00 is compressed in position across the lower end thereof, the Washer being apertured to provide for reciprocatory movement of the valve stem 90 therethrough. Disposed in the upper portion of the housing 99 is a substantially annular magnet frame portion I02, which is of generally cup-shaped section, and which is provided with the magnetic coil I03 having connection at one end with the conductor 36a as indicated at I04. The central portion of the magnet frame I02 forms a cylindrical bore I 05 in which the upper portion of the valve stem 90 is adapted to reciprocate. At its lower ends, the pole face of the magnet is adapted to engage a soft iron disc member I06, forming an armature carried by the valve stem 90 and suitably secured to the reduced portion of the valve stem by means of the threaded sleeve I 01 to which is loosely secured the armature I06 against the shoulder I08 of the valve stem. Suitable sealing means H0 is compressed against the under face of the washer I00 by means of the washer I I2 against which the upper end of the spring 91 is adapted to seat. The valve stem 90 is provided with an axial bore II3, provided adjacent its lower end with laterally extending openings II4 providing communication through the ports H5 in the cup-shaped follower 96 with the interior of the housing and therefore providing for flow of fuel from the port 26 through the openings H5 and the ports II4 into the passage II3 of the valve stem, the fuel from this passage entering the cylindrical bore I05 of the magnet frame and passing out through the metering valve opening II6 to the transversely extending passage II'I communicating with the interior of the metallic tubing 38 leading to the thermocouple. A suitable metering screw H8 is provided for controlling the flow of pilot fuel through the passage H6, this screw being adjusted by a suitable screw driver or the like, and being protected from unauthorized adjustment by means of the cap member II9 threaded into the upper end of the housing 99.

In the operation of the structure as thus far described, the gas flowing from the conduit 21 into the interior of the unit 25 through the port 26 passes the valve seat 94 and fills the interior of the chamber or housing 40 at the right hand side as viewed in Figure 3. A portion of this gas passes upwardly through the valve stem and through the tube 38 to the pilot tip member l1, issuing through the orifices 22 past the welded hot junction 35 and out of the ports 18 and I9 to produce a pilot flame for insuring ignition of the burner l2 when gas is admitted thereto. A small portion of the gas moves through the bypass opening 6'! controlled by the metering screw 68 to the burner l2 when the valve 92 is in open position, and the remaining portion of the gas moves past the disc 58 and the valve member 49 and through the cage member 52 to the port 29 for supplying the controllable quantity of fuel to the burner 12 to maintain the desired temperature within the oven chamber I.

The dial 33 is rotated to the desired position for initially setting the valve opening between the disc 58 and the member 49, and the valve member is automatically adjusted in accordance with the temperature within the oven chamber 1 through the bulb 23 and the capillary tube 24 and power diaphragm element 46 for maintaining the selected temperature within the oven.

Assume now that the pilot flame is accidentally extinguished. This immediately causes cooling of the junction 35, and consequently produces deenergization of the magnet coils I03 in the magnet frame I02. This results in the armature I06 no longer being held in attracted position against the pole face of the magnet frame, and consequently the spring 9'! snaps the valve stem 90 downwardly to move the armature away from the magnet frame, and simultaneously move the valve 92 into engagement with the valve seat 94. This shuts off all flow of fuel to the pilot burner and to the main burner. The valve 92 will remain closed as long as the pilot flame is unignited, and the dial member 33 is not actuated from its previous set position.

To reignite the pilot flame, it is necessary to rotate the dial member 33 in a clockwise direction to its limiting position, which will result in rotation of the cam member to cause the finger 93 to rock the bell crank about its pivot, raising the valve stem and simultaneously moving the armature 16 carried by the shoulder I08 up against the pole faces of the magnet frame I92. It is necessary that the dial 33 remain in this position until gas passing through the valve stem and through the tube 38 is ignited at the pilot tip IT to produce the pilot flame 20, which causes heating of the thermocouple junction 35 and consequently energization of the coils I03, thereby energizing the magnet and maintaining the armature in attracted position. The dial member 33 may then be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to the desired position for producing a predetermined temperature in the oven, thereby actuating the disc member 58 to produce a predetermined setting of the disc with respect to the valve member 49 for allowing a flow of gas through the conduits 29 and I5 to the main burner. As the burner temperature varies within the oven chamber 1, the diaphragm element 46 will vary the position of the valve member 49 with respect to the disc 58 to maintain a predetermined temperature in the oven, this being determined in advance by proper calibration of the unit. Assuming that the member 49 is seated against the disc 58, there will still be a sufficient supply of fuel through the by-pass 61 to maintain a minimum low fire fuel supply to the main burner to insure ignition thereof and to maintain a minimum temperature within the oven.

It will be noted that the entire selecting and control mechanism for maintaining and controlling the flow of fuel to the main burner is independent of the safety shutoff unit except insofar as control of the fuel to the burner for maintaining a predetermined temperature in the oven is concerned, and it would be possible to remove the housing 99 from the extension 98, thereby removing the valve assembly 92 in the valve stem 90, and to seal this extension by means of a suitable closure plug if the safety control unit is not to be incorporated in the general control system. Thus the present assembly provides for manufacture either of a control unit for regulating the temperature tf the oven only, or a control unit which can be eadily adapted for use by the inclusion of the l'nusing 99 and the ancillary pilot burner and thermocouple equipment to provide a combined oven heat regulator and safety shutoff unit.

While it is apparent that various changes and modifications in details of the present invention may be made without departing from the underlying principles thereof, the illustrated embodiment of the invention discloses a preferred manner of accomplishing the purposes of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that I do not intend to be limited to the exact details shown and described, but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner in juxtaposition to said main burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, means subject to the heat of the pilot burner for maintaining said safety shutoff valve in open position as long as the pilot burner is lighted and operable to release said safety shutofi valve for movement to closed position on extinguishment of the pilot burner, and a rotatable thermostat dial for adjusting said regulating valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, said thermostat dial being adapted to be turned to a minimum position to open said safety shutoff valve for reignition of said pilot burner.

2. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner in juxtaposition to said main burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutofl" valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, an electromagnet having an armature connected to said shutoff valve, a thermocouple placed in position to be heated by said pilot burner and electrically connected with said electromagnet whereby saidarmature is held in attracted position and said safety shutoff valve is held in open position as long as said thermocouple is heated by said pilot burner but on extinguishment of said pilot burner said armature is reelased for movement of the armature to retracted position and movement of said safety shutoff valve to closed position, and a thermostat dial rotatable in one direction to adjust said regulating valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, said thermostat dial being rotatable to a minimum position in the opposite direction to open the safety shutoff valve for reignition of the pilot burner and to position said armature in attracted relation with respect to said electromagnet.

3. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valvefor regulating the supplyof fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, means subject to the heat of the pilot burner for maintaining said safety shutoff valve in open position as long as the pilot burner is lighted and operable to release said safety shutoff valve for movement to closed position on extinguishment of the pilot burner, means for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostatic means, and means under the control of said last mentioned means for actuating said safety shutoff valve to open position and operable to actuate said safety shutoff valve to open position only upon positioning the adjusting means for the thermostatic valve in substantially closed position.

4. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected tem peratures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, an electromagnet having an armature, which, when attracted, holds said shutoff valve open, a thermocouple placed in position to be heated by said pilot burner and connected in circuit with said electromagnet whereby said armature is held in attracted position and said safety shutofi valve is held in open position as long as said thermocouple is heated by said pilot burner but on extinguishment of said pilot burner said armature is released for movement of the armature to retracted position and movement of said safety shutoff valve to closed position, means for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, and means under the control of said last mentioned means for actuating said armature to attracted position and said safety shutoff valve to open position and operable to actuate said armature to attracted position and said safety shutofi valve to open position only upon positioning the adjusting means for the thermostatic valve in substantially closed position.

5. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, means subject to the heat of the pilot burner for maintaining said safety shutoff valve in open position as long as the pilot burner is lighted and operable to release said safety shutoff valve for movement to closed position on extinguishment of the pilot burner, and a thermostatic valve control member for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, and means for preventing opening of said safety shutoff valve for reignition of the pilot burner except when said thermostatic valve control member is in substantially closed position.

6. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, an electromagnet having an armature, which, when attracted, holds said shutoff valve open, a thermocouple placed in position to be heated by said pilot burner and connected in circuit with said electromagnet whereby said armature is held in attracted position and said safety shutoff valve is held in open position as long as said thermocouple is heated by said pilot burner but on extinguishment of said pilot burner said armature is released for movement of the armature to retracted position and movement of said safety shut-off valve to closed position, a thermostatic valve control member for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, and means for preventing opening of said safety shutoff valve for reignition of the pilot burner except when said thermostatic valve control member is in substantially closed position.

'7. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutofi valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, means subject to the heat of the pilot burner for maintaining said=safety shutofi valve in open position as long as th'pilot burner is lighted and operable to release said safety shutoff valve for movement to closed position on extinguishment of the pilot burner, a rotatable dial operable to actuate said safety shutoff valve to open position, and thermostatic valve control means under the control of said dial for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, said dial being operable to open said safety shutoff valve for reignition of the pilot burner only when said thermostatic valve is in substantially closed position.

8. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, an electromagnet having an armature, which, when attracted, holds said shutoff valve open, a thermocouple placed in position to be heated by said pilot burner and connected in circuit with said electromagnet whereby said armature is held in attracted position as long as said thermocouple is heated by said pilot burner but on extinguishment of said pilot burner said armature is released for movement of the armature to retracted position and movement of said safety shutoff valve to closed position, a rotatable dial operable to actuate said armature to attracted position and said safety shutoff valve to open position, thermostatic valve control means under the control of said dial for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, said dial being operable to open said safety shutofi valve for reignition of the pilot burner only when said thermostatic valve control means is in substantially closed position.

9. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, means subject to the heat of the pilot burner for maintaining said safety shutoff valve in open position as long as the pilot burner is lighted and operable to release said safety shutoff valve for movement to closed position on extinguishment of the pilot burner, a thermostatic valve control member for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, means for preventing opening of said safety shutoff valve for reignition of the pilot burner except when said thermostatic valve control member is in substantially closed position, and a fuel supply passage leading to said pilot burner wholly independently of said thermostatic valve for maintaining a supply of fuel to said pilot burner regardless of the position of said thermostatic valve.

10. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting said valve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting on the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, means subject to the heat of the pilot burner for maintaining said safety shutoff valve in open position as long as the pilot burner is lighted and operable to release said safety shutoff valve for movement to closed position on extinguishment of the pilot burner, means mounted to be turned to different positions for adjusting said thermostatic valve to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, and means under the control of said last mentioned means and mounted to be turned to actuate said safety shutoff valve to open position.

11. In combination, a main burner, a fuel supply line leading to said burner, a pilot burner, a thermostatic valve for regulating the supply of fuel to said main burner, thermostat means for adjusting saio "alve to maintain selected temperatures, a safety shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, an electromagnet having an armature, which, when attracted, holds said shutoff valve open, a thermocouple placed in position to be heated by said pilot burner and connected in circuit with said electromagnet whereby said armature is held in attracted position and said safety shutoff valve is held in open position as long as said thermocouple is heated by said pilot burner but on extinguishment of said pilot burner said armature is released for movement of the armature to retracted position and movement of said safety shutoff valve to closed position, means mounted to be turned to different positions for adjusting said thermostatic valve 3 to different positions to select different temperatures to be maintained by said thermostat means, and means under the control of said last mentioned means and mounted to be turned to actuate said armature to attracted position and said safety shutoff valve to open position.

THEODORE A. WETZEL. 

